U.S. patent application number 11/860067 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-27 for image forming apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Takahiro HOSOKAWA, Takahiro IKENO, Hiroshi KOIE, Masashi SUZUKI, Kazunari TAKI, Hideo UENO.
Application Number | 20080074710 11/860067 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39224621 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080074710 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUZUKI; Masashi ; et
al. |
March 27, 2008 |
Image Forming Apparatus
Abstract
An image forming apparatus comprises: an interface unit which
receive a print data and file data; a printing unit which prints an
image on a recording medium; a writing unit which stores tag data
in a non-contact type tag when the recording medium provides the
non-contact type tag; a buffer unit in which a file data is stored,
the file data is to be stored in the non-contact type tag; and a
control unit which controls the printing unit and the writing unit;
wherein the control unit stores the file data in the buffer unit
when the file data is received, the control unit controls the
printing unit to form an image on the recording medium based upon a
content of the print data when the print data is received, the
control unit controls the writing unit to store the file data
stored in the buffer unit in the non-contact type tag.
Inventors: |
SUZUKI; Masashi;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) ; KOIE; Hiroshi; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) ; UENO; Hideo; (Nagoya-shi, JP) ; TAKI;
Kazunari; (Nagoya-shi, JP) ; IKENO; Takahiro;
(Seto-shi, JP) ; HOSOKAWA; Takahiro; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.;ATTORNEYS FOR CLIENT NOS. 0166889, 006760
1100 13th STREET, N.W., SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-4051
US
|
Assignee: |
BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Nagoya-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
39224621 |
Appl. No.: |
11/860067 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/443 ;
358/1.1; 358/1.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/3208 20130101;
H04N 2201/3226 20130101; H04N 1/32138 20130101; H04N 2201/3205
20130101; H04N 2201/3216 20130101; H04N 1/00342 20130101; H04N
2201/0082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/443 ;
358/1.1; 358/1.16 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/40 20060101
H04N001/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 25, 2006 |
JP |
2006-259117 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an interface unit which
receive a print data and file data; a printing unit which prints an
image on a recording medium; a writing unit which stores tag data
in a non-contact type tag when the recording medium provides the
non-contact type tag; a buffer unit in which a file data is stored,
the file data is to be stored in the non-contact type tag; and a
control unit which controls the printing unit and the writing unit;
wherein the control unit stores the file data in the buffer unit
when the file data is received, the control unit controls the
printing unit to form an image on the recording medium based upon a
content of the print data when the print data is received, the
control unit controls the writing unit to store the file data
stored in the buffer unit in the non-contact type tag.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit stores the file data in the non-contact type tags of
all of recording mediums to be printed respectively.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
file data is a print file.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
file data is a print data for all pages, the file data is converted
from the print file.
5. A method for forming an image on recording medium that has
non-contact type tag, comprising; a first step in which a file data
is stored in a buffer unit when an image forming apparatus receives
the file data; a second step in which the image forming apparatus
form an image on the recording medium based upon a print data when
the print data is received, the second step in which the image
forming apparatus stores the file data stored in the buffer unit in
the non-contact type tags of all of recording mediums to be printed
respectively.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2006-259117, which was filed on Sep. 25, 2006, the
disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus
for printing an image on a sheet that has a non-contact type tag
for transmitting/receiving tag data via a wireless communication,
and the image forming apparatus stores the tag data in the
non-contact type tag of the sheet.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses are known in the
technical field, these image forming apparatuses print images on
sheets that have non-contact type tags for transmitting/receiving
tag data via wireless communications, and also store the tag data
in the non-contact type tags. For instance, a patent publication 1
discloses an image forming apparatus that prints on a sheet having
a non-contact type tag in which ID information is stored. A host
computer stores the management information after correlating the
management information with the ID information stored in the
non-contact type tag. For example, the management information is
the data name, the IP address and the PC name of the print request
source, the paper size, the output sheet quantity, and the
management number. When the image forming apparatus prints on a
plurality of sheets, the host computer stores each ID information
of respective non-contact tags of a plurality of sheets after
correlating each ID information with one management information.
The image forming apparatus can obtain the management information
of the sheet from the host computer by reading out the ID
information of the non-contact type tag of the sheet, so that the
image forming apparatus can obtain the information as to the print
request source of the sheet.
[0004] A patent publication 2 discloses an image processing
apparatus that carries out the following image processing
operations. In the image processing operations, the image
processing apparatus stores both a document file of a Japanese
sentence and another document file of a translation sentence
written in English, German, French languages, and the like in the
non-contact type tag of the 1 sheet, when the image processing
apparatus prints a document written in Japanese on the sheet; and
when the sheet printed based upon the English document is required
and the image processing apparatus reads out the English document
from the non-contact type tag, the image processing apparatus
prints the document written in the English language on such a paper
in which the non-contact type tag is not provided.
[0005] A patent document 3 discloses an image forming apparatus
that prints image data of a concert ticket on a sheet and also
stores such information as a name, a sex, and a birth date in
correspondence with a content of the image data to be printed in
the non-contact type tag of the sheet.
[0006] [Patent Publication 1] JP-A-2005-192080
[0007] [Patent Publication 2] JP-A-2004-157588
[0008] [Patent Publication 3] JP-A-2005-212303
SUMMARY
[0009] The conventional image forming apparatus disclosed in the
patent document 1 can access the host computer based upon ID
information stored in the non-contact type tags of the remaining
papers so as to acquire the data name indicative of the printed
contents, even when a portion of papers is lost. And the
conventional image forming apparatus can reproduce the lost paper
based upon the acquired data name. However, the conventional image
forming apparatus has a problem. When the conventional image
forming apparatus is not installed under network environment, the
conventional image forming apparatus cannot access the host
computer, so that the lost paper cannot be reproduced.
[0010] In the conventional apparatus disclosed in the patent
publication 2 and the patent publication 3, since only 1 sheet is
provided a non-contact type tag, the conventional apparatus cannot
reproduce printing contents of the lost paper, when the paper
equipped with the non-tact type tag is lost.
[0011] A purpose of the present invention is to provide an image
forming apparatus that can reproduce the lost sheet, even when any
of sheets that have been printed over plural pages is lost.
[0012] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided
an image forming apparatus comprising: an interface unit which
receive a print data and file data; a printing unit which prints an
image on a recording medium; a writing unit which stores tag data
in a non-contact type tag when the recording medium provides the
non-contact type tag; a buffer unit in which a file data is stored,
the file data is to be stored in the non-contact type tag; and a
control unit which controls the printing unit and the writing unit;
wherein the control unit stores the file data in the buffer unit
when the file data is received, the control unit controls the
printing unit to form an image on the recording medium based upon a
content of the print data when the print data is received, the
control unit controls the writing unit to store the file data
stored in the buffer unit in the non-contact type tag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Illustrative aspects of the invention will be described in
detail with reference to the following figures wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view for showing an outer appearance
of a multi-function device in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view for showing the multi-function
device in which a reading unit is opened in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a major portion of the
multi-function device when the multi-function device is viewed from
a shaft direction of a sheet feeding roller in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for showing an electric system
employed in the multi-function device in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flow chart for showing an example as to a data
forming process operation executed in the personal computer in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0019] FIG. 6 is a flow chart for showing an example as to a
printing/writing control process operation executed in the
multi-function device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to drawings, a detailed description is following
for explaining how to carry out best modes of the present
invention.
First Embodiment
[0021] A multi-function device 1 in accordance with a first
embodiment is an apparatus for printing an image, which includes a
printer function, a scanner function, a copy function. FIG. 1 is a
perspective view for showing an outer appearance of the
multi-function device 1. Also, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the
multi-function device 1 which shows such a condition that a reading
unit 3 is opened. In the following description with respect to the
multi-function device 1, a side plane (namely, lower right
direction as viewed in FIG. 1) where an operation unit 6 has been
provided is defined as a "front direction" and an opposite side
plane (namely, upper left direction as viewed in FIG. 1) is defined
as a "rear direction".
[0022] The multi-function device 1 includes an image forming unit
2, and an automatic fed original reading unit 3 (will be referred
to as "reading unit 3" hereinafter). The image forming unit 2
includes a feeder unit 21, an image forming section 22 (refer to
FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the reading unit 3 includes
an image reading device 4, and an automatic original feeding device
5 (will be referred to as "ADF 5" hereinafter). An original base 4a
having a rectangular shape is mounted on an upper plane of the
image reading device 4. The ADF 5 is arranged in such a manner that
the ADF 5 covers the original base 4a. As shown in FIG. 2, a rear
edge portion of the reading unit 3, which is located opposite to
the operation unit 6, is rotatably supported on the upper rear edge
side of the image forming unit 2.
[0023] The operation unit 6 in which a user can operate various
sorts is provided on one edge side (lower right direction as viewed
in FIG. 1) of the image reading device 4. The operation unit 6
includes a mode selection switch 96, a start key 97, various sorts
of operation buttons 98, and a touch panel 99 made of a liquid
crystal display.
[0024] The mode selecting switch 96 can select any one of three
sorts of function modes (modes capable of operating FAX function,
scanner function, and copy function). Concretely speaking, three
mode keys are arrayed in the mode selecting switch 96 along right
and left directions. The three mode keys are a copy mode key 96a
for selecting a copy mode; a FAX mode key 96b for selecting a FAX
(facsimile) mode; and a scanner mode key 96c for selecting a
scanner.
[0025] The start key 97 is a switch for starting an operation
corresponding to a function mode. When the start key 97 is
depressed (turned ON) in the copy mode, a multi-function device 1
starts a copying operation for an original mounted on the original
base 4a. When the start key 97 is depressed in the FAX mode, a
multi-function device 1 carries out a FAX transmission/original
reading operation. When the start key 97 is depressed in the
scanner mode, a multi-function device 1 carries out a scanner
original reading operation.
[0026] The touch panel 99 displays a setting menu bottom (not
shown) by a predetermined operation. When the setting menu button
is touched, the touch panel 99 displays indications related to
setting menu of various sorts. Also, a display portion, which is a
part of the touch panel 99, displays an error indication, when an
error occurs, e.g., a depletion of a sheet W after a print request
is issued. The error indication notifies that the error occurs to a
user.
[0027] A sheet deriving hole 7 is formed at a lower side position
of the operation unit 6. The sheet deriving hole 7 is opened and
connected to a sheet discharging tray 2a (see FIG. 3, will be
explained later). A hand feed-in port 8 is formed in a lower side
of the paper deriving hole 7. The hand feed-in port 8 is opened in
a slit shape and extended along the horizontal direction. And a
sheet feeding cassette 9 is provided on a further lower position of
this lower side.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, a description for explaining the image
forming unit 2 is following. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a
major portion of the multi-function device 1, as viewed from a
shaft direction of a feed roller 25. In this drawing, a right side
as viewed on this drawing corresponds to the front direction of the
multi-function device 1, whereas a left side as viewed on this
drawing corresponds to the rear direction of the multi-function
device 1.
[0029] A feeder unit 21 for feeding a sheet W and an image forming
section 22 are located in a casing 20 of the image forming unit 2.
The image forming section forms a predetermined image on the fed
sheet W. Also, a sheet discharging tray 2a is arranged on an upper
portion of the image forming section 22. The sheet discharging tray
2a holds a sheet W on which an image has been formed by the image
forming section 22 and then has been discharged.
[0030] The feeder unit 21 includes a sheet feeding cassette 9, a
sheet depressing plate (not shown) provided in a swingable manner
within the sheet feeding cassette 9, a feed roller 25 provided
above a front edge-sided edge portion of the sheet feeding cassette
9.
[0031] The sheet feeding cassette 9 is arranged on the lower side
within the casing 20. The sheet feeding cassette 9 is installed in
a detachable manner (can be installed/removed) from a plane on the
side of the operation unit 6. A plurality of sheets is stacked and
stored in the sheet feeding cassette 9. Thus, a sheet W located at
the uppermost position of the sheet feeding cassette 9 is
sequentially fed to the side of a register roller 29 via a convey
path by the sheet feeding roller 25.
[0032] In the first embodiment, a sheet W equipped with a
non-contact type tag 80 (Radio Frequency Identification "RFID" tag)
is stored in the sheet feeding cassette 9. The non-contact type tag
80 stores information inside itself, and further, transmits and/or
receives electromagnetic waves with an antenna (not shown).
[0033] The sheet W has the non-contact type tag 80 in a portion of
an edge portion of a rectangular-shaped sheet W. As this edge
portion of the sheet W, a margin portion near the upper right edge
of the sheet W is used which becomes a blank during a printing
operation, or alternatively, corner portions (4 corners) of the
sheet W may be used. Similar to a normal sheet, the sheet plane of
the sheet W can be printed.
[0034] A installing/removing sensing unit 82 for sensing
installing/removing of the sheet feeding cassette 9 is provided on
the side of the rear edge of the sheet feeding cassette 9, when the
sheet feeding cassette 9 is installed in the casing 20. The
installing/removing unit 82 corresponds to, for example, a
photoelectric sensor in which one pair of a light projecting
element (not shown) and a light receiving element (not shown) are
provided on both sides of the sheet feeding cassette 9. The light
receiving element receives light projected from the light
projecting element. When the sheet feeding cassette 9 is installed
in the casing 20, the light projected from the light projecting
element is shielded by the side wall of this sheet feeding cassette
9. When the sheet feeding cassette 9 is removed from the casing 20,
the light projected from the light projecting element is received
by the light receiving element.
[0035] Then, a signal which change in response to amounts of light
received by the light receiving element is outputted to a CPU 90,
so that the CPU 90 can detect that the sheet feeding cassette 9 is
installed in the casing 20, and also, is removed from the casing
20.
[0036] The registration roller 29 is a pair of rollers. The driving
operation and the stopping operation of this registration roller 29
are controlled by a control circuit 83 based upon sensing timing by
a position sensor (not shown) which is arranged near the sheet
feeding roller 25. Then, the registration roller 29 corrects
oblique travels of the sheet W with this control operation.
[0037] The image forming section 22 includes a scanner unit 40, a
process unit 41, a fixing unit 42. As shown in FIG. 3, the scanner
unit 40 is provided at an upper portion within the casing 20. The
scanner unit 40 includes a laser emitting unit (not shown), a
polygon mirror 44 which is rotatably driven by a polygon motor 43,
lenses 45 and 46, reflection mirrors 47 and 48. A laser beam which
is emitted from the laser emitting unit based upon predetermined
print data passes through, or is reflected through, the polygon
mirror 44, the lens 45, the reflection mirror 47, the lens 46, and
the reflection mirror 48 in a sequential manner. Therefore the
laser beam is illuminated on a surface of a photosensitive drum 52
provided in a process unit 41 (will be discussed later) in a high
speed scanning mode.
[0038] The multi-function device 1 includes the process unit 41
which can be installed in/removed from the main body of the image
forming unit 2. The process unit 41 includes a drum cartridge 50,
and a developing cartridge 51.
[0039] In the process unit 41, the drum cartridge 50 includes the
photosensitive drum 52, a scorotron type charger 53, and a transfer
roller 54. Also, the developing cartridge 51 includes a developing
roller 55, a layer thickness restricting blade 56 which is
contacted onto the developing roller 55 under pressure, a toner
supply roller 57, a toner box 58 into which toners (developing
agent) are filled.
[0040] The photosensitive drum 52 is arranged at a side position of
the developing roller 55 in such a manner that the photosensitive
drum 52 can be rotated along the clockwise direction under such a
condition that this photosensitive drum 52 is located opposite to
the developing roller 55. The scorotron type charger 53 is a plus
charging-purpose scorotron type charger. The scorotron type charger
53 is arranged to be separated from the photosensitive drum 52 in a
predetermined interval in such a manner that this scorotron type
charger 53 is not contacted to the photosensitive drum 52.
[0041] The surface of the photosensitive drum 52 is uniformly
charged in the plus mode by the scorotron type charger 53 in
connection with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 52. And
then, this charged surface is exposed by the laser beam emitted
from the scanner unit 40 in the high speed scanning mode, so that
an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the
photosensitive drum 52 based upon the predetermined print data.
[0042] Toners are carried on the developing roller 55 and are
charged in the plus mode according with the rotation of the
developing roller 55. And then, the toners are supplied to the
electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the
photosensitive drum 52, when the toners are contacted with the
photosensitive drum 52 in the opposite manner.
[0043] The transfer roller 54 is arranged under the photosensitive
drum 52 in such a manner that this transfer roller 52 is located
opposite to this photosensitive drum 52. And the transfer roller 54
is rotatably supported on the drum cartridge 50 along the counter
clockwise direction. Then, the visible image carried on the surface
of the photosensitive drum 52 is transferred to a sheet W while
this sheet W passes between the photosensitive drum 52 and the
transfer roller 54.
[0044] The fixing unit 42 is arranged on the down stream side (rear
direction side) of the sheet feeding direction, which is lower than
the process unit 41. The fixing unit 42 includes a heating roller
63, a pressing roller 64, and a thermistor 65. The heating roller
63 heats toners transferred onto the sheet W so as to melt the
toners. The pressing roller 64 is positioned opposite to the
heating roller 63, and pressing the sheet W against the heating
roller 63.
[0045] The heating roller 63 includes a metal element tube
functioning as a cylindrical member. A halogen lamp is installed in
the heating roller 63 along an axial direction of this metal
element tube. The halogen lamp can heat the surface of the heating
roller 63 until the temperature thereof becomes a fixing
temperature (for example, 200.degree. C.) at which the toners are
fixed on the sheet W.
[0046] The pressing roller 64 includes a metal roller shaft, and a
rubber roller. The rubber roller covers a circumference of this
roller shaft, and is made of a rubber material. The pressing roller
64 is elastically depressed against the metal element tube of the
heating roller 63 by the rubber roller of the pressing roller 64.
And then, the pressing roller 64 may be driven in accordance with
the rotation of the heating roller 63.
[0047] The thermistor 65 is an element whose resistance value is
changed in response to a temperature. The thermistor 65 measures a
temperature of the heating roller 63 based upon the resistance
value thereof. The CPU 90 turns ON/OFF a power supply of the
halogen lamp which heats the heating roller 63 in response to the
measured temperature. In this way, the CPU 90 controls the
temperature of the heating roller 63 so as to become a
predetermined temperature.
[0048] In such a fixing unit 42, the heating roller 63 heats and
presses the toners transferred to the sheet W in the process unit
41 while this sheet W passes between the heating roller 63 and the
pressing roller 64, so that the toners are fixed on this sheet
W.
[0049] Furthermore, the heating roller 63 feeds the sheet W on
which the image has been fixed to a sheet discharging roller 69 via
a sheet discharging path formed by guide members 67 and 68. Then,
the sheet discharging roller 69 discharges the fed sheet W on the
sheet discharging tray 2a. An IC writer 81 is provided in the
vicinity of the sheet discharging roller 69. The IC writer 81 is
located opposite to the non-contact type tag 80 of the sheet W fed
by the sheet discharging roller 69. The IC writer 81 can store tag
data in the non-contact type tag 80 of the sheet W by generating
electromagnetic waves from an antenna (not shown).
[0050] The reading unit 3 includes the image reading device 4 and
the ADF 5. The image reading device 4 is arranged above the sheet
discharging tray 2a of the image forming unit 2 in such a manner
that a lower plane 4b of the image reading device 4 is located
opposite to the sheet discharging tray 2a and cover the sheet
discharging tray 2a.
[0051] The reading unit 3 is a flat head type scanner. In the flat
head type scanner, the original base 4a is exposed (refer to FIG.
2), when the ADF is opened along the rear direction. Originals are
read in a copying operation under such a condition that a book and
other originals are mounted on the original base 4a.
[0052] It should be understood that reading operations of an
original are realized in such a case that the original is mounted
on the original base 4a, and also, in another case that the ADF 5
is utilized. When the original is mounted on the original base 4a
so as to read the original, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) 71 is
transported along a shaft 79 elongated along the convey direction
of the original and further along the original base 4a. In this
transporting operation, the reading operation of the original
mounted on the original base 4a is carried out every 1 line. On the
other hand, when the ADF 5 is utilized so as to read the original,
the CIS 71 is transported to the left edge side of the original
base 4a, and is maintained at this position, so that the reading
operation of the original conveyed by the ADF 5 is carried out
every 1 line.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for showing an electric system of
the multi-function device 1 in accordance with the first embodiment
of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the multi-function
device 1 includes an operation unit 6, a installing/removing
sensing unit 82, an IC writer 81, a reading unit 3 for reading an
image, an image forming section 22, a ROM 91, a RAM 92, a CPU 90, a
facsimile interface 94, and a network interface 95. The operation
unit 6 receives various sorts of input operations. The
installing/removing sensing unit 82 senses that the sheet feeding
cassette 9 is installed and/or removed. The IC writer 81 stores tag
data in the non-contact type tag 80. The image forming section 22
performs heating/fixing operations with the printing and fixing
unit 42. The facsimile interface 94 is connected to a communication
line such as a telephone line. The network interface 95 is
connected to a personal computer (will be referred to as "personal
computer PC" hereinafter).
[0054] When the CPU 90 receives print data transmitted from the
external personal computer PC and also receives image data sent
from the reading unit 3 since a copy scanning operation is carried
out, the CPU 90 stores the print data, the image data, and
information added to data (for example, information of user who
issues print command, and page information such as total number of
print request) in the RAM 92.
[0055] Following description is for explaining a data forming
process operation that is executed by the personal computer. FIG. 5
is a flow chart for showing one example of the data forming process
operation that is carried out by the personal computer PC in
accordance with the first embodiment.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, firstly, the personal computer PC
transmits a job starting command for instructing the start of the
printing operation to the multi-function device 1 (step 100, will
be referred to as "S100" hereinafter). After transmitting the job
starting command, the personal computer PC judges whether or not
tag data will be stored in the non-contact type tag 80 (S110). The
judgment as to whether or not the tag data will stored in the
non-contact tag is made as follows. For instance, the personal
computer PC displays a check box for inquiring whether or not the
tag data is to be stored on the screen thereof. When the check box
is checked, the personal computer PC judges that the tag data is to
be stored. When the check is checked, the personal computer PC
judges that the tag data is to be stored (YES: S110), and then,
transmits a tag writing command to the multi-function device 1
(S120).
[0057] After transmitting the tag writing command (S120), the
personal computer PC transmits file data that is a print file to
the multi-function device 1 to store in the non-contact type tag 80
as a tag data (S130). The print file corresponds to a source file
of a sentence edited by executing sentence editing software of the
personal computer PC, or a source file of a table formed by
executing a spreadsheet program. The print file is a file that will
now be printed by the multi-function device 1. The print file
requires a plurality of sheets, when the multi-function device 1
prints the content of the print file on sheets. And the print file
is set in such a manner that printing operations are continuously
carried out over a plurality of pages by the sentence editing
software and the like.
[0058] It should be understood that in accordance with the
embodiment of the present invention, the personal computer PC
transmits directly not only a print file, but also a print file
that is converted into a file having another format. And then, the
personal computer PC transmits a converted file that is made of the
print file to the multi-function device 1 as file data. For
instance, a print file may be converted into such a file having a
PDF (Portable Document Format) format; the personal computer PC may
transmit the file having the PDF. The PDF format has been developed
by Adobe System Inc. of USA as the format of the electronic
documents, and has been actually distributed as the standard format
as to the Internet distribution-purpose document formats. Since a
print file is converted into a PDF file, a file size thereof may be
reduced.
[0059] After transmitting the print file (S130), the personal
computer PC forms print data for 1 sheet within the content of the
print file (S140). The print data for 1 sheet which is firstly
formed may correspond to a first page of the content of the print
file, conversely, or a final page thereof.
[0060] Next, the personal computer PC transmits the formed print
data for 1 sheet to the multi-function device 1 (step S150).
Subsequently, the personal computer PC judges whether or not data
of a next page is present based upon a content of a print file
(S160). When the print file requires a plurality of sheets in
printing operations, the personal computer PC judges that the data
of the next page is still present based upon the content of the
print file (YES: S160), and repeatedly performs the process
operations defined in the step S140 and the subsequent steps
thereof so as to form print data for 1 sheet which is equivalent to
the next page (S140). And then, the personal computer PC transmits
this formed print data to the multi-function device 1 (S150).
[0061] Similarly, the personal computer PC repeatedly performs the
process operations defined in the step S140 and the subsequent
steps thereof as to form print data every 1 sheet with respect to
all of pages contained in the print file which requires the
plurality of sheets (S140), and then, transmits all of the formed
print data with respect to each of these sheets to the
multi-function device 1 (S150). The personal computer PC may
transmits the print data to the multi-function device 1
sequentially from the first page of the print file toward the last
page thereof, conversely, or sequentially from the last page of the
print data toward the first page thereof.
[0062] When the personal computer PC forms the print data every 1
sheet with respect to all of these pages of the print file in the
above-described manner and then transmits the formed print data to
the multi-function device 1, the personal computer PC judges that
the data of the next page is not present (NO: S160). And then, the
personal computer PC transmits a job end command to the
multi-function device 1 (S170) so as to accomplish the data forming
process operation.
[0063] On the other hand, when the personal computer PC judges that
the tag data is not stored in the non-contact type tag 80 by
executing the process operation of the step S110 (NO: S110), the
personal computer PC forms print data for 1 sheet within the
content of the print file in a similar manner to the process
operations defined from the step S140 to the step S160 (S180).
Next, the personal computer PC transmits this formed print data for
1 sheet to the multi-function device 1 (S185).
[0064] Subsequently, the personal computer PC judges whether or not
data of a next page is present based upon a content of the print
file (S190). When the personal computer PC judges that the data for
the next page is still present based upon the content of the print
file (YES: S190), the personal computer PC repeatedly performs the
process operations defined in the step S180 and the subsequent
steps thereof so as to form print data for 1 sheet which is
equivalent to the next page (S180). And then, the personal computer
PC transmits this formed print data to the multi-function device 1
(S185). When the personal computer PC forms the print data every 1
sheet with respect to all of these pages of the print file and then
transmits the formed print data to the multi-function device 1, the
personal computer PC judges that the data of the next page is not
present (NO: S190), and then, transmits a job end command to the
multi-function device 1 (S170) so as to accomplish the data forming
process operation.
[0065] Next, a description is following for explaining a
printing/writing control process operation that is executed by the
multi-function device 1. FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining one
example as to the printing/writing control process operation
performed by the multi-function device 1 of the first
embodiment.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 6, the multi-function device carries out
the above-described printing/writing control process, when the
power supply of the multi-function device 1 is turned ON. The
multi-function device 1 executes an initializing process operation
for the hardware in order to establish such a condition that a
printing operation can be commenced, for instance, operations and
original positions (home positions) of various sorts of sensors are
confirmed (S200). The multi-function device 1 judges whether or not
reception data transmitted from the personal computer PC is present
(S205). When certain data is not transmitted from the personal
computer PC (NO: S205), the multi-function device 1 is directly
brought into a waiting status. Conversely, when the reception data
is present (YES: S205), the multi-function device 1 judges whether
or not this reception data is the job starting command (S210). When
the personal computer PC executes the process operation of the step
S100, the job starting command is transmitted from the personal
computer PC to the multi-function device 1.
[0067] When the reception data is not the job starting command (NO:
S210), the multi-function device 1 executes such a process
operation responding to this received command (S215), and
repeatedly performs the process operations defined in the step S205
and the subsequent steps thereof. When the received data is the job
starting command (YES: S210), the multi-function device 1 judges
whether or not reception data is present subsequent to the job
starting command (S220).
[0068] When certain data is not transmitted from the personal
computer PC (NO: S220), the multi-function device 1 is directly
brought into a waiting status. Conversely, when the reception data
is present (YES: S220), the multi-function device 1 judges whether
or not this reception data is the tag writing command (S225). This
tag writing command is transmitted from the personal computer PC,
when the personal computer PC executes the process operation of the
step S120.
[0069] When the multi-function device 1 receives the tag writing
command (YES: S225), the multi-function device 1 judges that tag
data is present which is to be stored in the non-contact type tag
80. And then, the multi-function device 1 receives such a file data
that is the print file transmitted from the personal computer PC by
executing the process operation of the step S130 subsequent to the
tag writing command. And then, the multi-function device 1 stores
this received file data in the buffer of the RAM 92 as the tag data
(S230). Next, the multi-function device 1 receives print data for 1
sheet "W" which is transmitted from the personal computer PC by
executing the process operation of the step S150 subsequent to the
file data (S235). And then, the multi-function device 1 executes a
printing process operation which prints on the sheet "W" based upon
the received print data. And further, the multi-function device 1
executes such a process operation that the multi-function device 1
stores file data stored in the buffer in the non-contact type tag
80 as tag data (S240).
[0070] In a storing process operation, when the IC writer 81 is
located opposite to the non-contact type tag 80 of the sheet W
transported by the discharge roller 69, the IC writer 81 emits
electromagnetic waves with an antenna (not shown). And then, the
multi-function device 1 stores the file data stored in the buffer
in the non-contact type tag 80 of the sheet W as file data. And
then, the sheet W is discharged to the sheet discharging tray
2a.
[0071] Subsequently, the multi-function device 1 judges whether or
not reception data is present (S245). When the reception data is
not present (NO: S245), the multi-function device 1 is directly
brought into a waiting status, whereas when the reception data is
present (YES: S245), the multi-function device 1 judges whether or
not the reception data is the job end command (S250).
[0072] Since the print file requires a plurality of sheets W for
the printing operation, the personal computer PC transmits the
print data with respect to each of the plural sheets W sequentially
to the multi-function device 1 by executing the process operations
defined from the steps S140 to S160. When the print data of the
next page is transmitted from the personal computer PC and the
multi-function device 1 judges that the reception data is not the
job end command (NO: S250), the multi-function device 1 repeatedly
performs the process operations defined in the step S235 and the
subsequent steps thereof.
[0073] Then, the multi-function device 1 receives the print data
for 1 sheet of the next page by performing the process operation of
the step S235. The multi-function device 1 executes a printing
process operation for printing on the sheet W based upon the
received print data. And also, the multi-function device 1 executes
such a process operation that the multi-function device 1 stores
the file data stored in the buffer in the non-contact type tag 80
as tag data (S240).
[0074] Subsequently, the multi-function device 1 judges whether or
not reception data is present (S245). When the reception data is
present (YES: S245), the multi-function device 1 judges whether or
not the reception data corresponds to the job end command (S250).
When the multi-function device 1 judges that the reception data is
not the job end command (NO: S250), the multi-function device 1
repeatedly performs the process operations defined in the step S235
and the subsequent steps thereof.
[0075] By executing repeatedly the process operations defined from
the steps S235 to S250, the multi-function device 1 prints on the
sheet W based upon the print data transmitted from the personal
computer PC, and stores the file data constructed of the print
files in all of the non-contact type tags 80 of the sheets W as the
tag data. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
print file for all of these pages, which is the source file, is
directly handled as the file data, and the file data is defined as
the tag data. The multi-function device 1 stores such tag data
containing the contents of all of the pages in the respective
non-contact type tags 80 of the sheets. However, the present
invention is not limited only to the above-described storing
process operation, but may be applied to other storing process
operations. It is sufficient that at least the contents of all of
the pages of the print file have been stored in the respective
non-contact type tags 80. Alternatively, the multi-function device
1 may also store such a data related to the content for 1 page
printed on this page in each of the non-contact type tags 80 as the
tag data, simultaneously with storing the print file for all
pages.
[0076] Also, the present invention is not limited only to such a
print file which corresponds to the source file handled as the file
data, but may be applied to other print files. For instance, the
print file may be converted into a file having another format,
e.g., the file having the above-described PDF format may be
employed as the file data. The multi-function device 1 may store
the file data having PDF format in the non-contact type tag 80 as
the tag data.
[0077] Since the multi-function device 1 repeatedly performs the
process operations defined in the step S235 and the subsequent
steps thereof, the multi-function device 1 prints on the sheet W
based upon the print data transmitted from the personal computer
PC, and stores the file data as the tag data in the non-contact
type tag 80 of the sheet W. When the job end command is transmitted
from the personal computer PC by executing the process operation of
the step S170, the multi-function device 1 judges that this job end
command is received (YES: S250). Thus, the process operation as to
1 job is accomplished. And then, the multi-function device 1
repeatedly executes the process operations defined in the step S205
and the subsequent steps thereof.
[0078] On the other hand, when the multi-function device 1 judges
that the received data is not the tag writing command by executing
the process operation of the step S225 (NO: S225), the
multi-function device 1 receives print data for 1 sheet W (S255).
After receiving the print data, the multi-function device 1
executes a printing process operation for printing on the sheet W
based upon the received print data (S260).
[0079] After carrying out the printing process operation (S260),
the multi-function device 1 judges whether or not reception data is
present (S265). When the reception data is not present (NO: S265),
the multi-function device 1 is brought into a waiting status,
whereas when the reception data is present (YES: S265), the
multi-function device 1 judges whether or not the reception data is
the job end command (S270)
[0080] When the personal computer PC executes the process
operations defined from the steps S180 to S190, print data every 1
sheet W are sequentially transmitted from the personal computer PC
to the multi-function device 1. When the print data for the next
page is transmitted from the personal computer PC to the
multi-function device 1 and the multi-function device 1 judges that
the reception data is not the job end command (NO: S270), the
multi-function device 1 receives the print data for 1 sheet W
(S265). After receiving the print data, the multi-function device 1
executes a printing process operation for printing on the sheet W
based upon the received print data (S260).
[0081] The multi-function device 1 repeatedly performs the process
operations defined in the step S255 and the subsequent steps
thereof so as to print on the sheet W based upon the print data
transmitted from the personal computer PC. When the job end command
is transmitted from the personal computer PC to the multi-function
device 1 by executing the process operation of the step S170, the
multi-function device 1 judges that this job end command is
received (YES: S270). And then, since the process operation as to 1
job is accomplished, the multi-function device 1 repeatedly
executes the process operations defined in the step S205 and the
subsequent steps thereof.
[0082] Thus, when the multi-function device 1 stores the print file
as the file data in the non-contact type tag 80 (YES: S225), the
multi-function device 1 stores such print file containing the
contents of all of these pages in the non-contact type tags 80 of
all of the sheets W respectively (S235 to S250).
[0083] When a portion of the plural printed sheets W is lost, the
non-contact type tag 80, which is provided in the lost sheet W, is
also lost. When the multi-function device 1 prints the content
printed on the lost sheet W on another sheet W so as to reproduce
the lost sheet, the multi-function device 1 can reproduce the sheet
W in which the same content of the lost sheet W is printed on as
follows: the multi-function device 1 read tag data from such a
non-contact type tag 80 of any one of the sheets W which are not
lost by operating an IC reader (not shown); and the multi-function
device 1 prints on the sheet based upon the read tag data, then the
sheet W on which the same content of the lost sheet has been
printed is reproduced. Also, even when a portion of 1 sheet W,
which contains the non-contact type tag 80, is broken, the sheet W
on which the same content of the lost sheet has been printed may be
similarly reproduced.
[0084] Moreover, even when the multi-function device 1 and the
personal computer PC are not installed under such an environment
connected to the network, the contents of the print file for all of
these pages can be acquired from the non-contact type tags 80
provided in the remaining sheets W.
[0085] Although the all sheets W have the respective non-contact
type tags 80 in which the print file is stored, the present
invention is not limited thereto, but may be modified. For example,
even when a portion of a plurality sheets W is broken, or lost, at
least a plurality of sheets have the respective non-contact type
tags 80 in which the print file is stored, the sheet W on which the
same content of the lost sheet has been printed may be
reproduced.
[0086] Alternatively, when the multi-function device 1 executes a
printing process operation, the multi-function device 1 may print
such a message that "the print file for all of the pages has been
stored in the respective non-contact type tags 80 as the tag data"
on the sheets W. When the multi-function device 1 stores the print
file in only a plurality of sheets W (not all sheets), the
multi-function device 1 may print such a message that "the print
file has been stored in the respective non-contact type tags 80 W
as the tag data" on these sheets W.
[0087] In the above-explained embodiment, the image forming
apparatus of the present invention includes the personal computer
PC and the multi-function device 1. The personal computer PC
transmits both the print data every 1 sheet and the file data as
the print file to the multi-function device 1. In the above
embodiment, the personal computer PC has been connected via the
network to the multi-function device 1. Alternatively, the personal
computer PC may be connected via either a printer port or a serial
port to the multi-function device 1. Also, the personal computer PC
and the multi-function device 1 may be alternatively arranged in an
integral body. In this alternative case, the multi-function device
1 may include a card reader that is inserted into a memory card and
the like in which a print file has been stored so as to read the
stored print file. The image forming apparatus need not be
necessarily connected to a network. Alternatively, it is required
to read only an edited print file. Further, the image forming
apparatus need not a sentence editing.
[0088] The present invention is not limited only to the
above-described embodiments, but may be accomplished in various
modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0089] The image forming apparatus of the above-described
embodiments can achieve the following advantages.
[0090] When a portion of the plural printed sheets W is lost, the
image forming apparatus can reproduce the sheet in which the same
content of the lost sheet W is printed on as follows: the image
forming apparatus read tag data from such a non-contact type tag of
any one of the sheets which are not lost; and the image forming
apparatus prints on the sheet based upon the read tag data, then
the sheet on which the same content of the lost sheet has been
printed is reproduced. In addition, even when the image forming
apparatus is not installed under such an environment that this
image forming apparatus is not connected to the network, the image
forming apparatus can easily reproduce the lost sheet by reading
the tag data from the non-contact type tag.
[0091] Also, the image forming apparatus may store the tag data in
the respective non-contact type tags of all sheets to be printed.
When at least one sheet is present, the image forming apparatus can
reproduce all of the other sheets. Moreover, since the conversion
file produced by converting the print file is employed as the file
data, the size of the tag data which is stored in the non-contact
type tag can be reduced, so that this tag data can be stored even
in a small storage capacity of a non-contact type tag.
* * * * *